However, there is an immediate threat to Gros Morne. Exploratory drilling, “fracking” for oil and industrialization is being proposed metres from the park.

Oil drilling and fracking are being proposed right beside Gros Morne National Park.

Fracking could contaminate local air, water and soil, create constant noise and heavy truck traffic, and harm wildlife and people.

“Although there will be no drilling on park land, drill sites are planned within metres of the park boundary in communities within and around the national park.

Potential threats to the park include

the contamination of huge amounts of water required by the fracking process,

the injection of toxic chemicals deep into the ground with the potential for groundwater or marine contamination,

intense trucking activities on park roads,

the flaring of waste natural gas,

and the noise, smell, and industrial activity of an intensive drilling operation.

Industrializing the Gros Morne coastline would not only threaten the remarkable ecosystems of this World Heritage Site, it would threaten the vital regional and provincial tourism economy which relies on the pristine natural beauty of Gros Morne’s coast and mountains to attract visitors from across Canada and around the world.“

Here is a letter from Make Poverty History urging Canadians to take action “together, we can affect change with our government and build a movement to tackle poverty and inequality:“

“Dear Canadians,

Monday October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

More than three million people in Canada live in poverty, including more than 630,000 children – one in every ten. And that does not include the shameful situation in First Nations communities where one in four children lives in poverty. This has significant impact on the health of First Nations children and future generations.

In 2009, MPs unanimously voted to “develop an immediate plan to end poverty in Canada for all”. Now there is a new bill to make that happen.

On June 20th, NDP MP Jean Crowder introduced Bill C-233, An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada. This proposed legislation comes very close to what we have advocated in terms of a law that would bind the federal government to a long-term commitment on ending poverty and to accountability for results.

Canada needs Bill C-233. This Act would obligate the Government of Canada to take action to end poverty in consultation with the provinces and territories, municipalities, Aboriginal communities, non-profit and private-sector bodies and civil society organizations.

The flag, whose creation and design were approved by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, will be flown for the first time today when The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in Ottawa to begin their nine-day Royal Tour of Canada, from June 30th to July 8th.

The itinerary of the nine-day Royal Tour of Canada for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge includes the following highlights:

Canada Day marks the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st. The holiday was called Dominion Day, and since 1983 has been officially known as Canada Day.

Join in the fun and celebrate Canada’s 144th birthday on July 1.

The annual Canada Day celebration on the front (south) lawn of the Ontario Legislature at Queen’s Park will feature a 21-gun salute to be fired by the 7th Toronto Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery, and the singing of O Canada.

FREE Canada Day activities include:

a line up of multicultural acts with eight dance performances;

a meet-and-greet with beloved kids’ character Shrek; and

inflatable rides, crafts, arcade games and a special kids show.

The day’s celebrations are all FREE and will begin with a citizenship ceremony to welcome new Canadians – with activities and entertainment following from noon until 5:00 p.m.

The following Queen’s Park road closures will be in effect Friday, July 1, 2011, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

Canada Day Celebration Highlights at Harbourfront Centre: FREE

a screening of Talespinners 2, seven short animated films for kids from the National Film Board of Canada,

make a Canadian maple leaf sun visor at the Canada Day Crafts station, and

sign up for one of the Strawberry Cooking Classes for Kids

YTV will even be on-site with their W.O.W. Tour!

during On the Pulse, you can play The Real Life Where’s Waldo? Game,

learn about the Arts & Animals of Colombia, and more!

“O! Canada is the results of an online singing competition using the National Anthem. Through social networking we have generated an overwhelming response to our call-out for your take on “O Canada”… without changing any of the lyrics of course.”